Jack M. Durfee, 89, of Winter Haven, Florida (formerly of Greensburg, PA and Blairsville, PA) passed way on Friday, October 9, 2015 at his home. The son of Edwin and Inez (Wood) Durfee, he was born June 19, 1926 in Lincolnville, Crawford Co., PA. Jack was a veteran of the US Navy serving in World War II. He received his Bachelors of Science and Masters Degree in civil engineering from Purdue University. He worked for Koppers Co., Pittsburgh, PA for 30 years, retiring in 1986. While working, he traveled the world as an engineer and helped the third world develop. He grew up working hard on a farm and worked hard to ensure his kids had a better life. Jack was a true Christian and was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, Blairsville, PA. He enjoyed golfing, horseback riding and going to his cottage on Canadohta Lake in North Western PA. Surviving are his wife, Florence I. (Foreman) Young of Blairsville, PA: four children, Nancy Jane Ellickson (John) of Gig Harbor, WA; Richard S. Durfee of Hamilton, MT; Gail Alison Frutchey (Robert) of Auburndale, FL and Donald P. Durfee (Ching-Hua) of Atlanta, GA; two stepchildren, Jack Robinson (Gayle) of Erie, PA and Debbie Wansor (Chuck) of Indiana, PA; three grandchildren, Dagny Breslin, Brandon Durfee and Julia Durfee; a sister, Jean Berlin of Meadville and a brother Joseph Durfee (Mary) of Albans, VT. He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Jane (Hasley) Durfee on October 25, 1987. The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 P.M. Saturday at the Shoemaker Funeral Home, Inc., 49 N. Walnut St., Blairsville, PA where the funeral service will be held at 3:00 P.M. with Rev. Donna Havrisko officiating. Interment will be in Kingsley Cemetery, Townville, PA. Military services will be accorded by Blairsville VFW Post #5821 and American Legion Post #0407.
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